The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

MARATHON Bahamas organisers said yesterday that this year’s event generated around 2,000 room nights for the hotel industry, resulting in just under $2 million in overall tourist spend.

Brian Moodie, president of Sunshine Insurance, lead sponsor for the race weekend, told Tribune Business: “As far as the Marathon is concerned, the Sunday event, we grew 20 per cent over last year.

“We had a total of just under 1,200 participants and approximately half of them were from overseas. We had participants from over 20 different countries.”

Just over 3,000 persons participated in the race weekend, and Mr Moodie added: “Basically we generated a total of just under 2,000 room nights,which resulted in just under $2 million - $1.9 million in tourist spend.

“We saw above average growth, 30 per cent growth, in the actual full marathon participation. We want to drive this event as a full marathon event. We want to make it accessible and that’s where the relay comes in.

“The student run relay was amazing. The student relay is where we anticipate seeing significant growth next year. We are working toward helping the student relay segment of the marathon grow.”

With respect to the Susan G Komen five kilometre run/fitness walk, Mr Moodie said: “The 5K was just unreal with respect to the growth. When it came to the 5K we had just shy of 1,300 hundred participants last year; we had just shy of 1,900 this year.

“The Susan G Komen Bahamas Race For The Cure registration went through the roof. Overall it was a tremendous event.

“We rose 35 per cent over last year in terms of participation, very healthy numbers. I just think it’s great for the Bahamas. $2 million for the Bahamas is nothing to be scoffed at in January. We had over 600 foreigners, but we had over 2,500 local participants over the weekend, be it the marathon, half marathon, the fun run or the relay,” said Mr Moodie.

According to Mr Moodie, over $300,000 had been invested into the event. “I don’t know right now what our net position is, we are still paying some bills, but we are looking to raise more than $100,000 to go towards charity,” said Mr Moodie.